2008 OUTLOOK: The Golden Hurricane lost several key players from a team that won 10 games, the C-USA West and the GMAC Bowl last season, particularly QB Paul Smith and six starters on defense. How well Tulsa replaces those players will go a long way toward determining whether or not it will win the division again in 2008.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The candidates at quarterback will be surrounded by nine returning starters, including an abundance of outstanding skill players and four returning starters up front. The combination of Tarrion Adams and Courtney Tennial in the backfield and Trae Johnson, Brennan Marion, Charles Clay, Jesse Meyer, Tennessee transfer Slick Shelley and Arkansas transfer Andrew Norman could overwhelm many opposing defenses.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
The Golden Hurricane returns solid players such as DE Moton Hopkins, LB George Clinkscale and Ss Charles Davis and Roy Roberts, but will heavily dependent on young players stepping into key roles.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
P Michael Such and PK Jarod Tracy never fulfilled expectations in 2007 and have a lot to prove this season. Someone has to step up and become more consistent on kickoffs. The Golden Hurricane have a number of options to return kicks and punts, but the best might be sophomore WR A.J. Whitmore.

ROSTER REPORT

-WR Trae Johnson and RB Tarrion Adams both missed practice time in the spring with injuries but are expected to be fine when August rolls around.

--Junior Charles Davis moved from cornerback to free safety last year because of injuries and made a positive impact in the second half of the season. The coaches were concerned about his size (5-9, 170 pounds) but he played well in the spring and they have decided to leave him there.

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